Hello!
1. Tell me a little about yourself and your hair journey. (Name, where you’re from, etc)
My name is Takia Shemique, I’m from Rochester, NY, graduate of Hampton U, the real HU, currently a Jersey Girl.
2. How long have you been natural? Have you always embraced your curls?
I’ve been natural for 7 years, I didn’t always embrace my curls, for as long as I could remember, I had a perm, it wasn’t until I got a short haircut and let it grow out without a perm that I realized I really liked my curls and no longer wanted to perm my hair anymore.
3. What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?
I had a short permed haircut, I got a weave, once I took the weave out I had a lot of new growth and while washing my hair I realized I had a head full of beautiful soft curls with the exception of my very short permed hair, after a couple of months I cut the permed ends completely off.
4. How would you describe your hair?
A head full of beautiful tight, doily, curls. I’m not really in to hair typing, I don’t like boxes.
5. What do you love most about your hair?
The versatility of it, if I want to wear it straight (which is rarely, about once a year) then I do. If I want to wear it big and curly (which is most of the time) then I do! My hair is stronger and healthier in its natural state as well. I love my curls, my texture, the fact that I can get my hair colored without as many repercussions compared to if it was permed.
6. What has been the most memorable part of your journey?Has it been easy or difficult or both?!
There has been a learning curve on my journey. I’ve big chopped about 3 years ago because I ruined my texture. During the first 3 years of me being natural, I did not know how to take care of my hair. I wasn’t aware of twist outs, I had no idea that my hair needed moisture and I hated my curls. You know we all want what we don’t have, I wanted a looser curl pattern. I tried a product that promoted itself to to be a texture softener. It’s supposed to loosen the curl, make it more “manageable” and help prevent breakage. It did loosen my curl but I hated it, my hair is fine and my hair no longer looked full. I ended up putting a weave in my hair and after leaving it in for a couple of months I took it out and my hair was ruined! I had straight pieces, curly pieces, semi curly pieces. I had no choice but to cut it all off, I let it grow out for about a month and then chopped it all off, I had a very short TWA. From that point on, I began to research how to take care of my hair, I discovered YouTube, I found a natural hair stylist, and I began the journey to embracing my curls just they way they are. Since then I’ve been retaining length and recovered from being a product junkie, lol, I’ve found a regime that works and I stick too it.
7. What are some of your favorite hairstyles?
I love a good twist out/Bantu knots. I twist my hair and then Bantu it until it’s about 75-80% dry, I like to Bantu it to stretch it out and create a curl, but I don’t allow it to dry fully because I don’t want the curls to be too tight, I want some length, it’s my favorite style.
8. What have your experiences been as a ‘natural.’ Any memorable reactions from family or others?
My overall experience has been awesome, I’ve actually gotten some friends and family to join the natural hair community! I just recently started a YouTube channel about natural hair and being a new mommy called LuvFeelingPretty! My hair is a great conversation starter and I have finally embraced my curls and I love them!
9. What is your hair regimen (including fav products)?
I wash my hair with shampoo, every 3-6 weeks but I cowash once every week. I deep condition every other week and I always use leave in conditioner after every wash and seal it with an oil. My favorite Styler is Miss Jessies Pillow Soft Curls, I love the fact that It’s a 10 deep conditioner and leave in conditioner, I use Kera Care shampoo and conditioner. Because my hair is color treated it’s important for me to use a hair care system that is very moisturizing. I use Joico K-pak conditioner for co washing.
10. What are some of your favorite natural hair websites,YouTuber’s, or blogs?
I love CurlyNikki.com and Moknowshair.com and some of my fav YouTuber’s are SistaWith RealHair, Naputral85, My Natural Sistas, Ahseik1118 and Mo Knows Hair.
11. Anything you want the readers to know? Inspirational words?
LuvFeelingPretty is my motto, it’s about embracing the real you, flaws and all, feeling beautiful in your own skin. If you are transitioning or just joining the natural hair community please do not covet another’s hair type or texture. Learn your hair, embrace your texture and rock your own flyness!!!
12. Where can people find you for more information?
Please check out my channel on YouTube: Takia Shemique- LuvFeelingPretty
IG: LuvFeelingPretty
Twitter: LuvFeelinPretty
Email: luvfeelingpretty@aol.com
